Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. on pace to shatter team targets record

Without a clear second option having emerged in the passing game, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has looked wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s way early and often in 2015. In Week 12, he targeted him on 35 percent of his attempts. Over the past three games, this was more the norm than an exception.

Over the past three games Beckham has been targeted 45 times, according to Pro Football Focus. He has totaled 119 targets through 11 games this year, and this puts him on pace to top the Giants' all-time season record since targets started being recorded in 1984. During the 2005 season, Plaxico Burress broke the team's unofficial targets record with 166.

Overall, Beckham has caught just 72 of 119 targets, for a catch rate that does not put him among the NFL's elite, per Pro Football Focus. Of course, Beckham has dealt with extra defensive attention for most snaps this season because the Giants have failed to find a reliable No. 2 option in the passing game.

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If the Giants want to keep their passing game going over the final five games, they will need to find a way to spread the ball around. Beckham should be targeted more than any wide receiver on the team, but it doesn't help if the Giants have to force him the ball.